Carotid Artery Disease

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Your carotid arteries are the blood vessels that supply your brain with most of the blood it needs to work. You have two carotid arteries, one on each side of your neck. Carotid artery disease is when one of both of the carotid arteries become narrowed or blocked. Carotid artery disease is caused by the build-up of plaque (fat) inside the artery. This build-up of plaque is called atherosclerosis (ath-er-oh-skle-ROH-sis), or hardening of the arteries.
  
  
• Some people with carotid artery disease do not have symptoms. Others may have transient (TRAN-zee-ent) ischemic (is-KEE-mic) attacks, or TIAs. TIAs are also called "mini-strokes". Carotid artery disease may increase your risk of having a stroke. A stroke (or "brain attack") happens when your brain doesn't get enough blood for a period of time. A stroke can cause permanent damage to your brain and may even be life-threatening.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts (doses), and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• It is common to take an aspirin a day if you have carotid artery disease. Aspirin helps to prevent blood clots from forming in the carotid arteries. If caregivers want you to take aspirin daily, do not take acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen) or ibuprofen (eye-bu-PROH-fen) instead.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Activity:

• Talk with your caregiver about driving. You should not drive if you are having TIAs. Also, you should not work in high places or operate machinery if you are having TIAs.
  
  
• Exercise: Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercising makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy.

How can I live a healthy lifestyle?

• Control other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and heart problems. Take medicines as directed.
  
  
• Diet:
  
  
  • Weighing too much can make your heart work harder and can cause serious health problems. Talk to your caregiver about a weight loss plan if you are overweight.
    
    
  • Eat healthy foods from all of the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy.
    
    
  • Ask your caregiver if you should be on a special diet. You may be told to eat foods that are low in fat or cholesterol (koh-LES-ter-ol). You may also be told to limit the amount of salt you eat. Special cookbooks can make it easier to plan low fat and low salt meals.
  
  
• Quit smoking: It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
  
  
• Stress: Stress may slow healing and cause illness later. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing, meditation, relaxing muscles, music, or biofeedback. Talk to someone about things that upset you.

For more information: Contact the following organizations for more information about carotid artery disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke:

• • American Heart Association National Center
    7272 Greenville Avenue
    Dallas, TX 75231-4596
    Phone: 1-800-242-8721
    Web Address: http://www.americanheart.org
    
  
  
  
• • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
    P.O. Box 5801
    Bethesda, MD 20824
    Phone: 1-800-352-9424
    Web Address: http://www.ninds.nih.gov
    

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Numbness (loss of feeling), weakness, or vision changes that last just a few seconds or a minute. Seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms happen suddenly and do not go away within a minute.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or you get a rash. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms. This may mean you are allergic (al-ER-jik) to your medicine.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or treatment.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have the sudden symptoms of a stroke:
  
  
  • A very bad headache. This may feel like the worst headache of your life.
    
    
  • Trouble with walking, balance, or coordination (the way your muscles work together while doing tasks).
    
    
  • Weakness or numbness (loss of feeling) in your arm, leg, or face. This may happen on only one side of your body.
    
    
  • Confusion, or problems speaking or understanding things.
    
    
  • Difficulty seeing out of one or both of your eyes.
  
  
• You have signs of a heart attack:
  
  
  • Chest discomfort or tightness that may spread to your arms, jaw, or back.
    
    
  • Unusual, sudden back pain.
    
    
  • Sweating and nausea (feeling sick to your stomach).
    
    
  • Trouble breathing.
    
    
  • Lips or nailbeds that turn blue or white in color.
  
  
• If you have symptoms of a heart attack or a stroke , it is an emergency! Call 911 or 0 (operator) for an ambulance to get to the nearest hospital or clinic. Do not drive yourself.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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